Durov's Telegram: 'weapon of war' under increased scrutiny

Since the Kremlin invaded Ukraine in 2022, Telegram, which has over 900 million active users, has emerged as a crucial platform used by pro-war bloggers to justify Moscow's invasion and sow disinformation in Ukraine and the West.

This photograph shows a general view of the Office national antifraude (ONAF, National Anti-fraud Office) building where Pavel Durov, CEO and co-founder of Telegram messaging app is being held in custody, in Ivry-sur-Seine, south of Paris, on August 26, 2024. (AFP)